topic Re: The timer issue in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

The timer issue

jaymack — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 02:35:12 GMT

Just so you know, I started way back in 1969 and got a job at a TV station and first camera was a Leica, Needless to say I could never buy one but got a few Nikons.

So, I got a Canon 60D, which to my personal view, has way too much stuff. But I use only what I need.

But... I had the hardest time with the timer, the instructions aren't exactly right, of which I see a lot of instructions that sounds like a robot. It says to press Drive button, select and focus while keeping a loose finger on the shutter button. Then press down harder and the timer begins. But it rarely does for me.

So I finally realize that one has to focus with finger loosely on button until you press full button. And run fast to postion and click!

But what if I want to pose in the photo? It seems I can only slowly press then focus then press down button until focus is ready. . And run for the position I want to be in. So it seems that the focus is necessary to get the timer to time.

Is there a simpler way?

Re: The timer issue

RobertTheFat — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 13:04:00 GMT

@jaymack wrote:
Just so you know, I started way back in 1969 and got a job at a TV station and first camera was a Leica, Needless to say I could never buy one but got a few Nikons.

So, I got a Canon 60D, which to my personal view, has way too much stuff. But I use only what I need.

But... I had the hardest time with the timer, the instructions aren't exactly right, of which I see a lot of instructions that sounds like a robot. It says to press Drive button, select and focus while keeping a loose finger on the shutter button. Then press down harder and the timer begins. But it rarely does for me.

So I finally realize that one has to focus with finger loosely on button until you press full button. And run fast to postion and click!

But what if I want to pose in the photo? It seems I can only slowly press then focus then press down button until focus is ready. . And run for the position I want to be in. So it seems that the focus is necessary to get the timer to time.

Is there a simpler way?

Yes. If your 60D has an infrared receiver (My 50D doesn't, but most of my cameras do), then you can buy a hand-held IR trigger (It's about the size of a fingernail clipper) that lets you both focus and fire the shutter remotely.

As for the self-timer, any ST requires that you have the scene focused before you dart into it. But you can use the back button or set the focus manually; you don't have to do it the clumsy way you describe.

Re: The timer issue

cicopo — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 13:28:55 GMT

Or let the camera set the focus using the AF (assuming there something to focus on) & then switch it to MF for the shot.

Re: The timer issue

jaymack — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 15:41:50 GMT

Thanks, I guess I'm just whining for the "old days". I have great eyesight, but trying to see that miniscule icon takes some time.